Recognizing their role in the delivery of public healthcare to their communities, Senator Bong Go continues to push for his proposed Senate Bill No. 427, which aims to provide allowances and benefits to barangay health workers (BHWs).
This initiative is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to prioritize, among others, the welfare of BHWs, who have played a vital role in the country’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Go said that if enacted into law, the measure would not only recognize the contributions of BHWs but also ensure that they are properly compensated and protected in the course of their duties.
“Ang mga barangay health workers natin ay nasa frontline po lalung-lalo na po sa malalayong lugar. Sila po ang nag-aasikaso. Sila po ang tumutulong sa paggagamot ng ating mga kababayan, lalung-lalo na sa mga komunidad na walang doktor,” the legislator said.
“Napapanahon naman po na sila ay bigyan natin ng sapat na halaga, alagaan po natin sila at bigyan natin sila ng sapat na benepisyo,” the lawmaker added.
Earlier this year, Marcos lauded BHWs for their enormous contribution in the fight against COVID-19. He also noted that they serve as a crucial information source for the national government in formulating policy decisions.
“Those of us who worked in the local government… will never argue with the importance of the barangay health workers and for that matter, all the volunteers at the barangay level,” the President said.
“We cannot do this without you.”
“We cannot do this without you. Please keep up the good work. And the government and, most importantly, our people are counting on you,” he added.
If passed into law, Go’s proposed measure will provide a monthly allowance of P3,000 to all barangay health workers. They will also be entitled to benefits and privileges and security of tenure.
The bill provides for the appointment of at least two BHWs per barangay. More may be appointed based on the number of households in the barangay and upon the recommendation of the Department of Health as long as the number of BHWs will not exceed one percent of the population of the barangay.
Other benefits and privileges enumerated in the bill include leave benefits, Civil Service Eligibility, and Christmas bonus, among others. BHWs will also be entitled to GSIS, PhilHealth and PAG-IBIG benefits.
Go emphasized that providing compensation to BHWs that is equivalent to the rate given to regular government employees is long overdue, considering the work they undertake for the betterment of their communities.
“Hindi natin makakamtan itong ating COVID response na ganito kung hindi po sa tulong nila.”
“Malaking tulong po ang nagagawa ng ating barangay health workers. Hindi natin makakamtan itong ating COVID response na ganito kung hindi po sa tulong nila. Bilang frontliners sa laban na ito, tayo ay nagpapasalamat sa kanilang sakripisyo at serbisyo,” the senator added.
He has also been pushing for measures empowering barangays as the frontline unit of governance in the country. He likewise filed SBN 197 which seeks to provide a Magna Carta for Barangays and capacitate them further to improve public service delivery.
If the bill is enacted into law, barangay officials will be treated as regular government employees. Under the proposed measure, Punong Barangay, members of the Sangguniang Barangay, the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson, the barangay secretary and barangay treasurer will be entitled to salaries, emoluments, allowances such as hazard pay, representation and transportation allowance, 13th month pay and other benefits that regular government employees enjoy.
